Dynasty Hot Routes: Scheming, Coaches, and Positional Holes

The mission of this article is to make our in-house experts sizzle and bristle over the hot-button issues that face Dynasty owners. Our experts make the entire route-tree HOT as they address topics from the world of IDP, Devy, Start/sit, Non-PPR, PPR and everything in between. Try not to get burned by all the fiery YAC below! This is Dynasty Hot Routes!

Which 2018 rookie or free agent signing really fits the scheme of their new team?

Joshua Johnson – I kind of love Jaron Brown to fill the Jermaine Kearse role in Seattle. Brown can get deep and he has the veteran savvy to make things flow. He will vulture targets from Tyler Lockett and maybe some or the vacated TDs from Jimmy Graham. Brandon Marshall will likely be cut just like Reggie Wayne was a few years back when he signed with New England.

I have a keen, but not vested, interest in Alec Ogletree, who will be manning the new-look Giants 3-4. He had solid success in the Wade “son of Bum” Phillips 3-4 last season. He joins a Giant D in need of a stable presence at LB. New DC James Bettcher comes to New York by way of Arizona. While with the Cards, Bettcher Defenses finished inside the top-seven in yards-allowed during each of the last three seasons.

John DiBari – In a bit of an unheralded move, I think the Raiders trade for Ryan Switzer might pay dividends this season. Head coach John Gruden is a big west coast offense guy as is his new offensive coordinator Greg Olson. The west coast offense will often feature lots of short and intermediate passes. Taking a quick look at The Raiders’ depth chart, you’ll see that the strengths of Amari Cooper, Jordy Nelson, and Martavis Bryant all probably lie elsewhere. This leave an opportunity for Switzer to sneak into the lineup and thrive in the role of the shifty, undersized, gritty slot receiver.

Kyle Francis – Deon Yelder in New Orleans. If Sean Payton is in New Orleans, there is value with their tight ends. According to Who Dat Dish, “For Yelder, there’s Benjamin Watson, Josh Hill and Michael Hoomanawanui. Watson is 37-years old and on a one-year contract. The other two aren’t lighting it up by any means. So, all Deon Yelder has to do is show he can catch and block. I know that’s obvious, but he’s been doing it in college and looking strong. He also had a solid week of practice at the Senior Bowl and had a touchdown in that game.” Yelder was very productive at WKU and should be picked up on the waiver wire in tight end premium leagues as a stash and hold.

Matt Walker – It’s funny that JJ said Jaron Brown because I’m going to go with Brandon Marshall. Long gone are Marshall’s dominant 100/1,500/10 seasons but there’s a massive void left in this offense after the departure of Jimmy Graham. While I would’ve much rather seen Dez Bryant in that role, I believe Marshall can scratch out another 6-8 TDs in what will likely be his NFL swan song.

Which off-season coaching change will have the biggest fantasy impact?

Joshua Johnson – #BiasAlert So yeah, I am a Raiders fan. Seriously I bleed silver and black and I am so happy Chucky is back! While his theories may be old, they are not dried-up scrolls. Jon Gruden will make three RBs PPR viable. Doug Martin will not make this team. Beast Mode will function as a more versatile Zack Crockett, but he will score the short yardage touches and TDs. He will also be the eater of the clock when needed. That leaves Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington to work as the Tyrone Wheatley/Charlie Garner battery. It is all not as simple as that but grab Raider RBs now!

John DiBari – Todd Haley coming to Cleveland as the Browns offensive coordinator could be a big deal. Assuming it’s not just lip service and the Browns are turning over play-calling duties to Haley, this team could really be clicking on all cylinders to open the season. Just by not being Hue Jackson, the move has potential. The Browns roster is like a mini-knockoff-version of what Haley had to work with in Pittsburgh for so long. Under Haley, players like Chubb, Gordon, Njoku and Mayfield might be able to produce fantasy relevant numbers for several seasons.

Kyle Francis – The Chicago Bears won the off-season. They have done everything in their power to prepare a table for their franchise QB, Mitchell Trubisky. He ran a spread offense in college and will now get to run one again. Kudos to the Bears Front Office for catering to their quarterback in free agency, staff additions, and in the NFL Draft.

Matt Walker – There are quite a few to choose from here. Nagy (HC) to Chicago, Haley (OC) to Cleveland, Patricia to Detroit (HC) but to me the underreported off-season coaching change will have the biggest fantasy is OC Matt LaFleur in Tennessee. This offense was stuck in exotic smashmouth purgatory under the tyrannical reign of HC Mike Mularkey and OC Terry Robiskie (two of the unsexiest names to grace an NFL sideline). They now have fresh blood throughout including HC Mike Vrabel and DC Dean Pees, who are both defensive minds and should leave LaFleur to craft the offense in his image. LaFleur’s coaching tree includes roots from his time working under Kyle Shanahan in Atlanta during Matt Ryan’s magical outlier season to his most recent stint with Sean McVay in Los Angeles where Jared Goff experienced an early career renaissance. The Titans have the necessary pieces in place to execute a similar offensive turnaround for a Titans’ offense that finished 23rd in total offense and 19th in scoring offense in 2017. I expect a huge year for Mariota, Davis & Co in 2018.

Which NFL team has the biggest positional hole that they will need to address in the 2019 draft?

John DiBari – This is tough, and although I think the Bills and Buccaneers have bigger holes elsewhere, I think the Dolphins are going to need to address the wide receiver position in next year’s draft. Fortunately, and why I picked Miami, the 2019 class is stacked at the receiver position. 33-year-old Danny Amendola isn’t the answer. Kenny Stills is too boom-or-bust and inconsistent. DeVante Parker and Leonte Carroo are shaping up to be huge disappointments. That leaves Albert Wilson, and if you need to lean on Albert Wilson to make things happen, you’re in bad shape.

Kyle Francis – Could it be the Pittsburgh Steelers and Lev Bell? Good news, Jr Iowa State running back David Montgomery will be available at the end of the first round and brings a comparable skill set with a far superior off-field persona. Seattle probably needs to do some work at wide receiver and South Carolina’s Jr. WR Bryan Edwards will be an option in the first or second rounds, should he elect to leave Columbia early. The Seahawks are losing ground in their division at an alarming rate and getting Rusty Wilson some help on offense has to be prioritized if they don’t want to squander his best years.

Matt Walker – The New York Jets boast arguably the worst offensive skill position depth chart in the entire NFL. They will have to upgrade at WR, RB, and TE in 2019 or risk exposing San Darnold to a level of failure and pain that could prove irreparable. The only potential long-term solutions on that roster at present are Elijah McGuire and Chris Herndon (sorry Robby Anderson truthers but that dude’s taking the express train to Canada if he doesn’t get his junk straight soon).

Joshua Johnson – I totally agree with Kyle as those Lev Bell headlines are still dominating Twitter. However, if Larry “Legend” Fitzgerald retires a big “X” will be needed in the desert for the Arizona Cardinals. Might I suggest current Arizona State super Devy stallion N’Keal Harry has his replacement. I love Harry and if he is as half as good as Larry Fitz, the state of Arizona will be gleeful.

My Raiders still need a middle linebacker of the future. The signing of the 75-year Derrick Johnson is merely a band aid over a gaping wound that gets bigger of every single year. Might I suggest Mr. All-Everything from LSU Devin White. Pretty please with sugar and vodka in an endless bowl!

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I am searching for the meaning of every bump on the pigskin. From leather helmets to a league with no point after attempts, I am researching with a wide shovel.
-married/father/music fan/Raider Nation baby/deli meat enthusiast/three-cone extremist